Golf R /RD

[Thornster]

Anyway, I'm keen to see how they style the R, and also to see one in the lovely blue!

Me too.  That blue that they showcased at the Paris (I think) motor show on the GTI is stunning - if it had been available as a colour pick in the UK I would have gone for it (although in Germany I think its just over £2K Euros  )

Also, I'm very interested in the styling of the R.  The mk 6 was awful - looked like a normal Golf - whereas the R32 mk 5 and 4 were stunning.  I'd still have a mk 4 R32 now - amazing looking car 

Agree on the R32 mk 5 and 4 being nice looking cars, if they can replicate the effect on the MK7 I'm going to want one!

[Jimble]

Aaaaanyway, I too am keen to see how they style the R, because in past iterations, I've preferred the styling of the GTI over the R.

Couldn't agree more. I "personally" prefer the styling of the previous GTI over the R. The R starts to look too alpha male, too Mitsubishi Evo, too loutish for "me". I much prefer understated design in cars. Wolf in sheeps clothing type of motoring. But that's just me

I mean all VW need to do is place an R logo in the places where the GTI badges are right now, add unique alloys and "maybe" throw in some quad exhausts (although they're a bit chav on a 2 litre car). Job done.

I really hope they don't go down the quad exhaust route, it just doesn't do it for me.

[matchboy]

I like the quad exhausts! But agree it could be deemed a little too much on a car that size.

[ROO1]

Our previous TT-s had quad exhausts and they looked and sounded excellent

[drisser]

Personally I have always struggled with VW'S R brand, in someways I think it is a victim of the GTi status.  I looked at the mk5 R a few times but could never see why to bother going for it other than the v6 v the 4 cyl engine.. Plus I preferred the gti alloys.

And apart from the noise, in the real world it wasn't much quicker thanks to the turbo torque. That's why I never gave the mk6 R even a glance.. For that money I would want 6 cylinders under the bonnet.

Then you look today at the gti and gtd, they are already stepping on the toes of the s3 and M135i in terms of price so where does that leave an R at probably well over 30k for base spec?

at 26k, the price of my sensibly specced gti I feel there is enough gap to the s3 etc not to worry about it because it is such a good all rounder, but would I pay 34 to 35k for a golf R or R D ? Never. For that money I could go way more upmarket and buy nearly new Cayman or Boxster for example, a used RS3 or TTRS with way more punch and not 4 cylinders.

[Hawaii-Five-O]

The more I think about this the more it annoyes me that VW dropped the V6 3.2 litre R32. A special motor. I hate the fact that VW have to be a "responsible" car manufacture and have to reduce emissions globally. This meant dropping the likes of the V6 3.2 litre and sticking a 2.0 litre 4-pot in their R brand cars. Wrong move.

I think if VW stuck their neck out and plonked in a super efficient, sh*t off a shovel 3 litre 5/6 cylinder into their R brand cars it would seriously help differentiate them from the "lesser" GTI/GTD brands. It would give them I clear gap and a good reason to upgrade to the more potent weapon. It would make owners feel that bit more special. God knows why they don't do this (well I do know but it annoys me).

I know we all have to look to the future, reduce emissions, yadda, yadda... But... D'ya think Audi give a s*it about this when they launch their RS cars. Errr no... they just do it, and what engines they are!

[DougL]

As this seems to have developed into a diesel vs petrol spat, I have never quite figured out why the diesel lovers are completely oblivious to the cost of replacing the obligatory DPF (particluate filter). Perhaps it is because they hope it will last beyond the three year warranty? Whatever. When (not if) it fails it will probably negate any fuel savings and you would have been better with GTI in the first place. I have been guilty of this (with my recent Mk 6) and will never buy a diesel again, at least not one that is equipped with a DPF.

[Gordor]

I haven't noticed any differences between the GTI and GTD 

[Running Man]

As this seems to have developed into a diesel vs petrol spat, I have never quite figured out why the diesel lovers are completely oblivious to the cost of replacing the obligatory DPF (particluate filter). Perhaps it is because they hope it will last beyond the three year warranty? Whatever. When (not if) it fails it will probably negate any fuel savings and you would have been better with GTI in the first place. I have been guilty of this (with my recent Mk 6) and will never buy a diesel again, at least not one that is equipped with a DPF.

I agree with you 

[drisser]

Agree with you 100% H50

The gti fits the 4 cyl do everything well mode perfectly, if you want to go to the next level, it should say to hell with the economy and be a 5 or 6 cyl motor to truly differentiate it.

I don't think I would ever pay upwards of 30k or so for a 4 cylinder car.  I have a 1998 fiat coupe 20v turbo that cost £1800 and the 5 cyl engine in that is just something else, so much more sound and character than a 4 cylinder.    Rather than swap the gti for an R I would rather keep it and buy a used e46 BMW M3 CSL for summer fun